A Starring Role

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Chris Crawford

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Chris Crawford was the winner of one of two national Irene Ryan Acting Audition scholarships on April 20, 2007. Crawford, a third-year student in the master of fine arts program in drama at the University of Arkansas, was one of 16 national finalists who performed on stage at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. He was chosen from an initial field of more than 2000 entrants.

After a panel of theater professionals reviewed the finalists and their acting partners, they selected two winning performances. Crawford will receive a $3,000 scholarship to be applied to any future acting training of his choice.

In addition, Crawford received two performance awards as well: the Shakespeare Theatre of Washington Acting Intern Scholarship, which provides a year-long position in the Shakespeare Theatre’s eight-person intern company, and the prestigious Mark Twain Comedy Award worth $2,000.

On stage with Crawford was his performance partner, Jenna Kirk, a second-year acting student. In addition, the university had a second national finalist among the group of 16, Jason Engstrom and his performance partner, second-year acting student Jenny Guy. Both Kirk and Guy are drama students at the university.

This national showcase, a part of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, is the culmination of a year-long process of development and preparation for first regional and then national presentations. The university had five actors and their partners chosen among 16 finalists in the regional Irene Ryan Acting Auditions held in Tulsa in February.

Another drama student, senior Jennifer Cozens, won the national make-up design competition for her work with the University Theater production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Cozens was one of 75 candidates chosen from a national field of make-up designers. Her award, sponsored by Alcone Company, the industry’s largest make-up supplier, consists of a two-week residency in make-up design conducted by a nationally prominent designer, all expenses paid, as well as a cash award.

“The drama department is extremely proud of our students’ success in showcases such as the Irene Ryan auditions and the national design competitions. These are highly visible indicators of the quality of work accomplished by both the students and faculty in the department,” said D. Andrew Gibbs, chair of the drama department in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.”